Seals and sea lions are pinnipeds and they are some of the most charismatic mammals around the Channel Islands. Often compared to dogs, pinnipeds are in the same Order as their canine cousins.

California sea lion pups

Figure App.F.13.23.. A figure showing counts of California sea lion pups from 2075-2011.

Figure App.F.13.23.. A figure showing counts of California sea lion pups from 2075-2011.

Click for Details U.S. pup count index for California sea lions Zalophus californianus (1975–2011). Trends in pup counts from 1975–2011 are shown for four rookeries in southern California and for haulouts in central and northern California. Figure: Carretta et al. 2016
Figure App.F.13.24.. A figure showing live pup counts (top) and average pup growth (bottom) for California sea lion pups on San Miguel Island from 1997 - 2014.

Figure App.F.13.24.. A figure showing live pup counts (top) and average pup growth (bottom) for California sea lion pups on San Miguel Island from 1997 - 2014.

Click for Details Live pup count (top) and mean pup growth index for California sea lions Zalophus californianus (1997–2014). Recent trends in pup counts have been stable, but declining for pup growth likely due to low availability of prey resources in central and southern California, which is the foraging range of nursing females. Symbols on graph are explained in the caption of Figure App.F.12.18. Figure: NMFS 2016a

Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)

Figure App.F.13.25.. A figure showing the population size of harbor seals in California from 1984 to 2014 on the Channel Islands and on the mainland coast.

Figure App.F.13.25.. A figure showing the population size of harbor seals in California from 1984 to 2014 on the Channel Islands and on the mainland coast.

Click for Details Population size of harbor seals Phoca vitulina in California is estimated by counting the number of seals ashore during the peak haulout period (May to July) and by multiplying this count by a correction factor. The population on Channel Islands beaches (triangle) appears to be stable. Figure: Carretta et al. 2016

Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris)

Figure App.F.13.26.. A figure showing the estimated number of northern elephant seal births from 1958 - 2010 on the Channel Islands and in Central California.

Figure App.F.13.26.. A figure showing the estimated number of northern elephant seal births from 1958 - 2010 on the Channel Islands and in Central California.

Click for Details Estimated number of northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris births in California from 1958–2010. There has been an increasing trend over the entire time series for Channel Islands (circles). Elephant seals have increased in abundance and taken up residence at locations on Santa Rosa Island that have historically not been inhabited (S. Whitaker, CINP, pers. comm.). Figure: Carretta et al. 2016

Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus)

Figure App.F.13.27.. A figure showing the number of Northern fur seal pups counted at two locations on San Miguel Island from 1972 - 2014.

Figure App.F.13.27.. A figure showing the number of Northern fur seal pups counted at two locations on San Miguel Island from 1972 - 2014.

Click for Details Total production of Northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus pups counted on San Miguel Island, including the mainland (Adam’s Cove) and the offshore islet (Castle Rock), from 1972–2014. The total production of northern fur seals exceeded the 1997 levels during 2010, 2012, and 2013. The island’s population has recovered from the 1997–1998 El Niño event. Figure: Carretta et al. 2016